The Oklahoma City Thunder went into last Thursday’s NBA Draft with options.
They were reportedly interested in all of the top four players in the draft including Ricky Rubio, James Harden, Blake Griffin and Hasheem Thabeet.
With Blake Griffin going first overall, and Thabeet following second, the Thunder still had two of their top choices on the board.
There were reports coming out this past month that the Thunder’s interest in Ricky Rubio had risen to its offseason peak.
However, the Thunder front office had to think of inter-squad conflict if they had chosen Rubio, the 18-year old novelty.
The Thunder told Russell Westbrook that he was their present and future point guard. Choosing another PG with the third overall pick this year might have caused conflict.
Luckily, the Thunder decided to pass on Rubio and address a position of bigger need.
With the third overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft, Oklahoma City chose James Harden, Shooting Guard from Arizona State. Harden is rated the best shooting guard in this year’s draft, which is a major plus for the Thunder.
The Thunder have a strong young nucleus now.
In fact, it is one that many teams would trade half their roster for. Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and now James Harden will make the Thunder an effective and winning squad for years to come.
At least until they can’t afford to keep all the star players together, but that is another story for another opinion column.
Harden had an excellent sophomore campaign.
Harden averaged over 20 points, 4.2 assists, and 6 rebounds a game.
At six-foot-five, 218 pounds, Harden has the size to play the floor and challenge the basket. He is a proven finisher, and can make all the shots.
His three point game may need some work, but Harden was the obvious pick at three.
In my opinion, the Thunder get an A+ grade for the Harden pick.
The way I look at draft picks and rate them is by whether or not the team filled a need, the value of the pick where they picked, and whether that player has impact potential.
The Thunder gained all three with Harden.
They filled a need, picked the number one shooting guard, and have a player who could contribute right out of the gate.
The only other pick of the Thunder’s that I find intriguing is B.J. Mullens with the 24th pick.
There is potential there, but he remains a project.
If the center can develop into the big man the Thunder are missing, then this draft is a complete success.
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